蜷 (quán) - To curl up & to coil

蜷Tone 2

quán ｜ 14 strokes ｜ radical:

情仁

蜷 · quán

To curl up;

to coil;

to huddle up (as in cold or fear).

To curl upto coilto huddle up (as in cold or fear).

Usage highlights

To curl upTo huddle upCurled bodyCoiled dragonCurled up and motionlessCurled tail

Synonyms

  • 卷— to roll up; to curl
  • 缩— to shrink; to contract
  • 曲— to bend; to curve

Antonyms

  • 伸— to stretch; to extend
  • 展— to unfold; to spread
  • 直— straight; upright

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • The cat curled up on the sofa (蜷在沙发上).
  • He huddled in a corner out of fear (蜷缩在角落).
  • Snakes coil around branches (蛇蜷曲在树枝上).
  • The child curled into a ball while sleeping (孩子蜷着身子睡觉).

Collocations

  • To curl up(蜷曲)
  • To huddle up(蜷缩)
  • Curled body(蜷身)
  • Coiled dragon(蜷龙)
  • Curled up and motionless(蜷伏)
  • Curled tail(蜷尾)

Idioms

  • Coiled dragon, crouching tiger(蜷龙卧虎)
  • Curled up like a shrimp(蜷如虾米)
  • Huddled in fear(蜷惧而缩)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Often depicts physical postures of contraction, suggesting vulnerability, cold, or rest.
  • Used in classical descriptions of animals (e.g., coiled snakes, curled-up cats) and occasionally in poetic imagery of dragons or spirits in a resting state.
  • Implies a temporary state of withdrawal or self-protection rather than permanent disposition.

FAQ